Fifa blasted over 'culture of nepotism' by independent body

FIFA President Sepp Blatter speaks during a news conference in St. Petersburg Jan 20, 2013. Fifa was accused of encouraging a "culture of nepotism" on Friday by an independent body set-up to overhaul the way the world governing body operates. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

LAUSANNE (AFP) - Fifa was accused of encouraging a "culture of nepotism" on Friday by an independent body set-up to overhaul the way the world governing body operates.

The commission said it was pleased with the way Fifa had implemented initial steps "towards the creation of a framework of good governance and controls," including by reforming its Ethics Commission.

But it added in its report that Fifa has yet to adopt a few points "of crucial importance for successful reform," which will be subject to approval at its next congress in Mauritius in May.

"The lack of transparent structures and culture of nepotism affect the organisation's reputation and undermine its ability to show the way to ethical governance of the sport," said the commission in a statement.